Prepare

to pass

A guide to help
you if you are
studying

Performance
Management F5
 GETTING
STARTED
Prepare to pass

LEARNING
PHASE
REVISION
PHASE
Welcome to your guide helping Sections
you to study for your F5 exam Getting started 03

Learning phase 12

PREPARATION
Stages of
Why use this guide?

study

FINAL
✓✓ Structured approach to show you how to succeed Revision phase 18
✓✓ Signposted resources and how to use them Final preparation 22
✓✓ Tips for success to help you through your studies
✓✓ Interactive clickable checklists to keep you on track The exam 24

THE EXAM
Appendix – Links26
This guide applies to CBE and paper-based exams for
September and December 2017 and March and June 2018.

APPENDIX
– LINKS
02
 GETTING
STARTED
Your checklist

LEARNING
PHASE
Decide whether you will sit your
exam on computer or on paper
Enter for your exam
Draw up your study plan

REVISION
PHASE
Get to know your exam

PREPARATION
FINAL
THE EXAM
Getting started

APPENDIX
– LINKS
03

Getting started – Tips for success
We strongly recommend that you buy an F5
Approved Content Provider study text and
question and answer bank to ensure exam
success. These provide:
- the most up to date content and syllabus
coverage.
- tests, quizzes and other support designed
to help you prepare for your exam.
- past exam questions updated for changes to
the syllabus, question style and exam format as
well as practice questions and answers and full
mock exams to ensure you are fully prepared
for your exam.
You may want to consider attending a face to
face or online tuition course with one of ACCA’s
Approved Learning Providers for all or part of
your studies.
Students who use approved
content materials are more
likely to pass than those
who don’t.
04
Tips for success
✓✓ The earlier you enter for your
exam the less it costs! Use our
exam planner tool to plan which
exam(s) you want to sit and when.
✓✓ Computer based exams (CBEs)
are being introduced across all of
our markets and over time paper
based exams are being withdrawn.
See over the page for guidance
on what this means for you.
✓✓ Use the ACCA Learning
Community to link up with
fellow students around the world
studying the same exam as you
– get tips, join discussions and
share ideas and advice. You can
also access live Q&A sessions
and presentations.
✓✓ Spend some time familiarising
yourself with the free resources
available via the exam resource
finder on the student section
of the ACCA website – we
will provide you with specific
guidance on when and how
to use these resources during
the relevant stages of study.
GETTING
STARTED
LEARNING
PHASE
✓✓ Remember to personalise your
edition of Student Accountant
so you receive F5 specific
information as you need it.
✓✓ If you think you could benefit from
building your English language
REVISION
skills to help you succeed in
PHASE
your exam take a look at the
BPP English Language support
for ACCA which is a free online
programme specifically designed
to support you through your
exams.
PREPARATION
FINAL
Exempt from F2?
✓✓ Make sure you have the
assumed knowledge needed
from F2 for F5 (see F5 syllabus
and study guide).
THE EXAM
✓✓ If you feel your knowledge
is lacking, consider buying an
F2 Approved Content Provider
study text to refresh your
understanding.
APPENDIX
– LINKS
 GETTING
STARTED
Getting started – CBE or paper?

The world is changing and ACCA is too! We

Some of the benefits of

LEARNING
are in the process of moving the F5-F9 exams

PHASE
from paper to CBE which means you may be CBEs… and there are
able to choose whether you sit your exam on I felt more in control,
computer or on paper. many more! as I could always keep
First of all you need to see what is available
for you – CBEs are being phased in across ✓✓ Session CBEs build workplace skills
track of my exam
different countries and cities and paper based progress. It was all just

REVISION
PHASE
exams are being phased out. We want all ✓✓ A more comfortable exam experience –
of our students to move to CBE as soon as no more sore hands! a click away within the
possible but we realise there are a number of
✓✓ Its quicker and easier to edit answers exam environment.
factors which may affect your decision where
you have a choice. In this section we will help ✓✓ Your answers are always clear and easy
you make the right decision for you. to read

PREPARATION
We have an area on our website dedicated to ✓✓ Navigation tools help you manage your

FINAL
our session CBEs and you may want to take time more effectively
a look here first: Session CBEs

It is a better and more

convenient way of

THE EXAM
taking exams.

APPENDIX
– LINKS
05

Getting started – CBE or paper?
Only paper-based exams
available for you
Making the right decision for you
Session CBEs for F5-F9 are becoming available
Don‘t worry! Session CBEs will come
in an ever increasing number of locations – so, as
to a centre near you soon so check
a first step you need to find out whether session
again when you come to your next
CBEs are available to you by accessing the
exam sitting – we are introducing
dedicated page on our website.
more and more locations for these
exams all the time
Move onto the next section Getting
started – Draw up your study plan
I wanted to have an exam
experience that was more
realistic to the work of a
professional accountant.
Only CBEs available
for you
That‘s great! Now you don‘t need
to worry about making a decision!
Move onto the next section Getting
started – Draw up your study plan
06
GETTING
STARTED
You need to make a choice
– CBE or paper?
LEARNING
PHASE
ACCA knows that employers
want their students to be work
ready – and our CBEs give you an
opportunity to become just that!
So ideally this should be your
default position!
REVISION
PHASE
Take a look at the benefits
highlighted on the previous
page as well as the quotes from
students who have already taken
PREPARATION
our CBEs. Remember you do not
FINAL
have to be computer expert or
a fast typist to take these exams
and session CBEs assess the same
learning outcomes to the same
standard as paper based exams
THE EXAM
If you are unsure about taking
a CBE then take a look at all of
the fantastic resources we have
produced especially for students
taking these exams. All of these
resources will ensure that you are
completely prepared for success
in your CBE
APPENDIX
– LINKS
 GETTING
STARTED
Getting started – Draw up your study plan

Study plan checklist

LEARNING
PHASE

Calculate the number of weeks
from now until your exam
date and draw up a plan – see
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
the example to the left and a
possible proforma for you to

REVISION
PHASE
Week 1 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Week 2 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
use on page 9
Week 3 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday You may need to add or take away
Week 4 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday weeks depending on your own
Week 5 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday circumstances and which exam

PREPARATION
Week 6 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday sitting(s) you are focusing on

FINAL
Week 7 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Block out days/half days/
Week 8 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday evenings already committed
Week 9 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday to family/social events
Week 10 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Plan study periods – evenings/
Week 11 REVISION
half days/full days, aiming for

THE EXAM
Week 12 REVISION
roughly one evening/half day
Week 13 REVISION per chapter of your study text
Week 14 REVISION
If possible leave a six week
Week 15 REVISION
period for the revision and final
Week 16 REVSION AND FINAL PREPARATION
preparation phases

APPENDIX
– LINKS
Evening study period Daytime study period Other commitments

07
 GETTING
STARTED
Getting started – Draw up your study plan

LEARNING
Tips for success

PHASE
When drawing up your study plan
✓✓ Be realistic and consider when you are best able to study
Students who use ACCA’s
– maybe early mornings work better for you or perhaps learning support resources
shorter, more frequent study periods.
achieve higher pass rates

REVISION
PHASE
✓✓ Once you have prepared your plan stick to it! than those who don’t.
✓✓ Consider building in an extra study period after every
few chapters to review and consolidate your learning.
✓✓ Take a 5-10 minute break every hour to help maintain
your motivation and concentration.

PREPARATION
FINAL
✓✓ Use this plan whether you intend to self-study through
all the phases or mix with some tuition from an
Approved Learning Provider.

THE EXAM
APPENDIX
– LINKS
08
 GETTING
STARTED
Getting started – Your study plan Print out and write down when you will study, relax and revise!

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Week 1

LEARNING
PHASE
Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

REVISION
PHASE
Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

PREPARATION
Week 8

FINAL
Week 9

Week 10

Week 11 REVISION

THE EXAM
Week 12 REVISION

Week 13 REVISION

Week 14 REVISION

Week 15 REVISION

APPENDIX
– LINKS
Week 16 REVISION AND FINAL PREPARATION

Evening study period Daytime study period Other commitments Colour boxes in your preferred highlighter colours.
09

Getting started – Get to know your exam

Review the syllabus
and study guide

Scan the F5 specimen exam

Review the examining team’s
guidance
Review the examiner’s reports
from the last four sittings

Read the exam technique
articles for F5

Familiarise yourself with
the formulae sheet

If you are taking a CBE
take a quick look at the
new resources just for you
10
GETTING
STARTED
➤ This gives you an understanding of the aims and objectives of the exam, learning
outcomes and exam structure
LEARNING
PHASE
➤ The specimen exam provides you with a clear picture of how F5 will be assessed
and how the exam is structured as well as the likely style and range of questions
that you could see in the real exam. Make sure you look at the specimen exam
that is relevant to you – either CBE or paper based
REVISION
➤ Using these resources at the start of your studies will help you understand the focus
PHASE
of the exam by concentrating on the exam structure, question style, exam technique
and tips as well as pitfalls to avoid – see an extract from the examiner’s approach
article over the page
➤ These provide feedback on students’ performance after each exam session, highlight
problem areas that students need to improve on and tell you what the examining
PREPARATION
teams are looking for; these are critical to your success in passing F5 and can be
used in conjunction with F5 – A guide to using the examiner‘s reports, which
FINAL
will really help you understand challenges students face and how to overcome
those challenges
➤ The articles – Multiple-choice questions, Top tips for the F5 exam and Approaching
written questions – will provide you with a head start in terms of knowing what
to expect and how to approach exam standard questions
THE EXAM
➤ You will be provided with this document in the exam and so you will not need
to learn these formulae
➤ New resources are being introduced all the time for students taking session based
CBEs so take a moment to familiarise yourself with what is available on our website
APPENDIX
– LINKS
 GETTING
STARTED
Getting started – What the examiner has said about F5
(extract from the examiner’s approach article)

LEARNING
Comments on

PHASE
assumed knowledge:

Where an area of the F5 syllabus covers a topic already covered in F2 as well, such as performance
measurement, for example, there is twice as much reason to assume that candidates will be able to
tackle such a question.

REVISION
Previous articles and presentations at conferences have referred to the metaphorical toolbox that is required

PHASE
for F5. This is the set of management accounting techniques that should have been learnt and practised
for the exam. Many of these were first introduced in F2, Management Accounting, so anyone that was
exempt from this exam needs to make sure that they do in fact have the assumed knowledge that
gained the exemption in the first place.
Everyone must go into the exam with these metaphorical tools in their bags. A builder wouldn’t turn
up to a job with only some of the tools he needs. He doesn’t empty out his toolbox after one job on the

PREPARATION
basis that he doesn’t need those tools anymore. He knows that he could require a particular tool at any

FINAL
time on a job, depending on what he is doing, and he must be fully prepared at all times. Accountancy
is no different, particularly management accounting.
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, F2 topics that arise again in F5 may be examined in
a more challenging way in F5 in order to reflect the difference between the two. Also, by the time
a candidate reaches F5, they may sometimes be expected to work out which tool they need to take out
of their toolbox in order to answer a question, rather than always being told which technique they will need

THE EXAM
to use. This is another step towards the skills required for P5 and for the workplace itself, where accountants
must act as advisors in many situations. Please remember that F5 is a skills module whereas F2 is only
a knowledge module, although the F5 exam would usually be expected to contain a small proportion
of pure knowledge marks too.

APPENDIX
– LINKS
11
 GETTING
STARTED
Your checklist

LEARNING
PHASE
Work through the control
sheet which has been
designed to give you a
structured approach to your
learning phase to ensure you:

REVISION
PHASE
- gain the knowledge you
need; and
- learn how to apply that
knowledge to pass the exam

PREPARATION
FINAL
THE EXAM
Learning phase

APPENDIX
– LINKS
12

Learning phase – Get the most out of your control sheet
Use the control sheet relevant to
the Approved Content Provider’s
materials you have purchased:
Students who use
✓✓ Becker Professional Education – page 15
ACCA’s learning
✓✓ BPP Learning Media – page 16
support resources
✓✓ Kaplan Publishing – page 17
achieve higher
exam scores than
Tick the box Content in the control
those who don’t. sheet once you have:
✓✓ Read through the introduction
to the chapter
✓✓ Actively read and understood each
chapter’s content
✓✓ Noted any additional commentary
and exam focus tips provided
✓✓ Worked through and understood
examples and illustrations of
concepts given
13
GETTING
STARTED
Tick the box Quiz/Test in the control
sheet once you have:
LEARNING
PHASE
✓✓ Attempted the quiz at the end of the
chapter (if you are using Becker or BPP
material) or the test your understanding
questions throughout the chapter
(if you are using Kaplan material)
REVISION
Tick the box Questions in the control
PHASE
sheet once you have:
✓✓ Attempted the questions referred to in
the question bank – some of these you
should do in full but others you can just
draw up a plan for, depending on the
PREPARATION
time you have available
FINAL
✓✓ Compared your answer, or plan, with the
solution given and understood where you
did well or not so well and why
Tick the box ACCA related resources
in the control sheet once you have:
THE EXAM
✓✓ Read / viewed the related ACCA
article(s) / video(s) signposted
✓✓ Note that ACCA produces new articles
and videos throughout the year and so you
should always check the technical articles
page on the website to ensure you have
APPENDIX
– LINKS
seen all of the related resources

Learning phase – Tips for success
Tips for success
✓✓ Actively read the material–
ask yourself ‘do I understand
this?’ If not re-read and re-
work examples – if you still
struggle, make a note and
come back to it during the
revision phase.
✓✓ Scan headings before going
into the detail to give you
an idea of the content first
and consider highlighting,
underlining, making notes,
drawing pictures or mind
maps – whatever helps
you to remember.
✓✓ Consider using the
additional resources
provided by the Approved
Content Providers including
for example passcards
or pocket notes to help
you remember the key
knowledge areas.
14
✓✓ Always work through the
questions signposted –
it is vital that you practise
questions throughout the
learning phase as this will
ensure that you are applying
the knowledge you learn as
you progress.
✓✓ If you are taking your exam
on computer make sure
you practise at least some
of the questions using the
constructed workspace.
✓✓ Make sure you use the ACCA
resources signposted to help
your understanding – these
give you real insight to help
you in your exam.
✓✓ If you find you are not
covering all of the material
in each study period, build
some extra time into your
study plan – everyone works
at a different pace.
GETTING
STARTED
LEARNING
PHASE
✓✓ Keep an eye on Student
Accountant for any
relevant articles.
✓✓ Visit the ACCA Learning
Community regularly to view
REVISION
new video content and to
PHASE
join online study events.
✓✓ There are PER (Practical
Experience Requirement)
objectives associated with
specific syllabus areas and,
PREPARATION
if possible, you should try
FINAL
to gain experience in these
alongside your studying as
this will help you to put your
studies into a workplace
context and reinforce what
you have learned.
THE EXAM
✓✓ Try to read a good quality
business journal or
newspaper regularly and
use this to help bring your
studies to life by linking
your learning into what
you are reading.
APPENDIX
– LINKS
 GETTING
STARTED
Learning phase – Control sheet for Becker Professional Education

Chapter Content Quiz/Test Questions ACCA related resources

✓✓ tick the boxes below when complete

LEARNING
Introduction

PHASE
1 Cost accounting • Activity based costing
• Throughput accounting and the theory of constraints – part 1
• Throughput accounting and the theory of constraints – part 2
2 Developments in management accounting
• Environmental management accounting
• Target costing and lifecycle costing
3 Relevant cost analysis • Study support video – Decision making techniques
• Cost volume profit analysis
4 Cost volume profit analysis

REVISION
• Study support video – Break even and profit volume charts

PHASE
5 Limiting factor decisions • Linear programming
6 Pricing
• Decision trees
7 Risk and uncertainty • The risks of uncertainty
• Study support video – Decision trees
8 Budgeting • Comparing budgeting techniques

PREPARATION
9 Quantitative analysis in budgeting • The learning rate and learning effect

FINAL
10 Standard costing
11 Basic variance analysis
• Interpreting financial data
12 Advanced variance analysis • Materials mix and yield variances
• Study support video – Variances
13 Planning and operational variances
14 Performance measurement

THE EXAM
• Not-for-profit organisations – part 1
15 Further aspects of performance analysis
• Not-for-profit organisations – part 2
16 Divisional performance evaluation • Decentralisation and the need for performance measurement
• Transfer pricing 1
17 Transfer pricing • Transfer pricing 2
• Study support video – Transfer pricing
18 Performance management information systems

APPENDIX
– LINKS
When watching the study support videos, focus at this stage on the technical aspects – you will watch these
15
again during the revision phase and at that point you will be able to focus more on the exam technique aspects.
 GETTING
STARTED
Learning phase – Control sheet for BPP Learning Media

Chapter Content Quiz/Test Questions ACCA related resources

✓✓ tick the boxes below when complete

LEARNING
Introduction

PHASE
1 Costing
2a Activity based costing • Activity based costing
2b Target costing • Target costing and lifecycle costing
2c Life cycle costing • Target costing and lifecycle costing
• Throughput accounting and the theory of constraints – part 1
2d Throughput accounting
• Throughput accounting and the theory of constraints – part 2
2e Environmental accounting • Environmental management accounting

REVISION
PHASE
• Cost volume profit analysis
3 Cost volume profit (CVP) analysis
• Study support video – Break even and profit volume charts
4 Limiting factor analysis • Linear programming
5 Pricing decisions
6 Short-term decisions • Study support video – Decision making techniques
• Decision trees
7 Risk and uncertainty • The risks of uncertainty

PREPARATION
• Study support video – Decision trees

FINAL
8 Budgetary systems • Comparing budgeting techniques
9 Quantitative analysis in budgeting • The learning rate and learning effect
10 Budgeting and standard costing
11 Variance analysis • Materials mix and yield variances
12 Planning and operational variances • Study support video – Variances
13 Performance analysis and behavioural aspects
14 Performance management information systems

THE EXAM
15 Sources of management information and management reports
• Interpreting financial data
16 Performance measurement in private sector organisations
• Decentralisation and the need for performance measurement
• Transfer pricing 1
17 Divisional performance and transfer pricing • Transfer pricing 2
• Study support video – Transfer pricing
• Not-for-profit organisations – part 1
18 Further aspects of performance management
• Not-for-profit organisations – part 2

APPENDIX
– LINKS
When watching the study support videos, focus at this stage on the technical aspects – you will watch these
16
again during the revision phase and at that point you will be able to focus more on the exam technique aspects.
 GETTING
STARTED
Learning phase – Control sheet for Kaplan Publishing

Chapter Content Quiz/Test Questions ACCA related resources

✓✓ tick the boxes below when complete

LEARNING
Introduction

PHASE
1 A revision of F2 topics
• Throughput accounting and the theory of constraints – part 1
• Throughput accounting and the theory of constraints – part 2
2 Advanced costing methods • Environmental management accounting
• Target costing and lifecycle costing
• Activity based costing
• Cost volume profit analysis
3 Cost volume profit analysis

REVISION
• Study support video – Break even and profit volume charts

PHASE
4 Planning with limiting factors • Linear programming
5 Pricing
6 Relevant costing • Study support video – Decision making techniques
• Decision trees
7 Risk and uncertainty • The risks of uncertainty
• Study support video – Decision trees

PREPARATION
8 Budgeting • Comparing budgeting techniques
9 Quantitative analysis • The learning rate and learning effect

FINAL
• Materials mix and yield variances
10 Advanced variances • Interpreting financial data
• Study support video – Variances
11 Performance measurement and control • Decentralisation and the need for performance measurement
• Transfer pricing 1
12 Divisional performance measurement and transfer pricing • Transfer pricing 2
• Study support video – Transfer pricing

THE EXAM
• Not-for-profit organisations – part 1
13 Performance measurement in not-for profit organisations
• Not-for-profit organisations – part 2
14 Performance measurement information systems

APPENDIX
– LINKS
When watching the study support videos, focus at this stage on the technical aspects – you will watch these
17
again during the revision phase and at that point you will be able to focus more on the exam technique aspects.
 GETTING
STARTED
Your checklist

LEARNING
PHASE
Revisit areas you struggled
with during the learning phase
Ensure you are confident with
the knowledge needed to pass

REVISION
the exam

PHASE
Make sure you are able to apply
that knowledge in questions

PREPARATION
FINAL
THE EXAM
Revision phase

APPENDIX
– LINKS
 GETTING
STARTED
Revision phase – Question practice


Exam-standard question practice is vital now Tips for success

LEARNING
PHASE
W
 ork through as many questions as possible
✓✓ Consider blocking time ✓✓ Work through the answers
and all mock exams included in the Approved in your study plan for carefully – pay attention to
Content Provider question and answer banks – specific questions or mock areas you got wrong and
remember these are best for question practice exams to ensure you cover understand where you went
everything. wrong – it is better to do
as they include past exam questions updated a few questions well, than

REVISION
for syllabus and format changes. Don’t forget ✓✓ Don’t be afraid to attempt

to practise some of these questions using the
constructed response workspace if you are
taking a CBE

Work through the specimen exam (either CBE
questions you have already
done – especially the ones
you found tricky first time
round.
✓✓ It is really important that
PHASE
lots of questions badly.
✓✓ Try not to look at the
answers before really
attempting the question
– you won’t be able to
do this in the real exam!

PREPARATION
or paper based, whichever is relevant for you) you do some questions in

FINAL
full, to exam time – time ✓✓ Don’t forget to review the
– this will provide you with a clear picture of management is often an marking guide too – you
what the exam will look like making sure you issue and the more you need to understand how
know what to expect on the day prepare yourself the better marks are allocated to
you will perform in the ensure you know how

If you are taking your exam on computer exam. to maximise your marks.
make sure you also work through the F5 extra

✓✓ To keep motivation high,
constructed response questions giving you break some questions into
a great opportunity to make sure you are individual parts, write plans
comfortable with the functionality of or notes for some parts and
do others in full.
these exams
THE EXAM
✓✓ Make sure you check the
website regularly for new
resources – there may be
new technical articles as
well as new CBE resources
added since you last
looked

APPENDIX
– LINKS
19
 GETTING
STARTED
Revision phase – Key resources


Review the examining team’s guidance again in the context
of what you have learnt

LEARNING
PHASE

Remind yourself of areas that students often struggle with Students who use 5 minutes
and obtain tips on how to ensure you do not make the same with the examining team
mistakes by reviewing the examiner’s reports from the last four videos are more likely to
sittings again, this time working through the F5 – A guide
to using the examiner‘s reports to really benefit from the
pass than those who don’t.

REVISION
valuable advice provided

PHASE

View the study support videos referred to in your control sheet
again – this time focusing on the exam technique aspects

View the study support videos – Question 1 debrief and
Question 5 debrief to gain a better understanding of how to Tips for success

PREPARATION
approach these types of question in the real exam as well as

FINAL
Answering narrative questions and the F5 revision webinar ✓✓ Don’t give up easily – if you really
for further advice to help you prepare for your exam cannot understand something then
consider posting a question on the

Read the exam technique articles – Multiple-choice questions, ACCA Learning Community – if you
Top tips for the F5 exam and Approaching written questions found it difficult so will have others.
again – this time using the techniques to help you practice

THE EXAM
questions

Make sure you read the study skills articles in Student Accountant
covering topics such as how to overcome exam anxiety as well
as checking the Student Accountant Hub for any new technical
articles related to F5

APPENDIX
– LINKS
20
 GETTING
STARTED
Revision phase – What the examiner has said about F5
(extract from examiner’s report December 2016)

LEARNING
Comments on

PHASE
section C:

Candidates in general performed better on the calculation-based questions, which were 31(a) and 32(a) but also
on discussion question 32(d). Candidates in general did not perform as well on discussion question 31(c). There
were many reasonable attempts at most parts of the two questions, but there were also many scripts with parts not
attempted. This particularly seemed to affect 32(c). As has been said before, it is essential to read the question

REVISION
PHASE
requirement carefully in any examination in order to understand clearly what you are being asked to do.
For example, a requirement to discuss the problems of implementing a new budgeting system, as in 31(c), is
different from a requirement asking about the problems of such a new budgeting system itself. Furthermore, some
candidates try to answer the question that they think is there, rather than the one that actually is there. For example,
when asked to discuss the problems involved in using a particular performance measure, there is no need to
discuss the problems of using a difference performance measure too. Whilst negative marking does not happen,

PREPARATION
wasting time writing an answer to a non-existent question means that potential marks are lost elsewhere.

FINAL
THE EXAM
Students who use examiners’
reports are more likely to
pass than those who don’t.

APPENDIX
– LINKS
21
 GETTING
STARTED
Your checklist

LEARNING
PHASE
You are clear on the knowledge
you need to pass the exam
as well as how to apply that
knowledge

REVISION
You have the skills you need

PHASE
to pass the exam – eg time
management

Ensure you are

PREPARATION
familiar with:

FINAL
the exam format
the style of questions
the way the marks are allocated

THE EXAM
what specific syllabus areas
are likely to be tested and
in which questions

Final preparation

APPENDIX
– LINKS
22
 GETTING
STARTED
Final preparation – Tips for success

§ §

LEARNING
An extract from the An extract from the Students who use

PHASE
syllabus and study F5 specimen exam
specimen resources are
guide for F5: marking guide:
more likely to pass than
The syllabus is assessed by a three‑hour Section C Question 32: those who don’t.
examination available in both (a)
computer‑based and paper-based

REVISION
Sales growth 3

formats.
For paper-based exams there is an extra
15 minutes to reflect the manual effort
required. All questions are compulsory.
It will contain both computational and
discursive elements. Some questions will
PHASE
Maintenance 3
Directors’ pay 2
Wages 2
Net profit 2 Tips for success
Return on assets 2
–––

PREPARATION
adopt a scenario/case study approach. 14 ✓✓ Go over questions again that
you found difficult during the

Section A of the exam comprises 15
multiple choice questions of 2 marks
each. Section B of the exam comprises
three questions comprised of 5 multiple
choice questions. Section C of the exam
comprises two 20 mark questions. The
FINAL
(b) revision phase and make sure you
Reliability of rides 2 attempt at least one mock again
Average queuing time 2 in full to time.
Risks 2
––– ✓✓ If you are unsure about the exam
6 format, the style of questions
or what specific syllabus areas

THE EXAM
two 20 mark questions will come from
decision making techniques, budgeting ––– are likely to be tested in which
and control and/or performance Total marks 20 questions, read the syllabus and
measurement and control areas of the study guide again.

syllabus. The section A questions and
✓✓ If you are not sure about how
the questions in section B can cover
the marks are allocated review
any areas of the syllabus.
the specimen exam again.

APPENDIX
– LINKS
23
GETTING LEARNING REVISION FINAL APPENDIX
THE EXAM
STARTED PHASE PHASE PREPARATION – LINKS
Make sure you are ready
to walk into your exam
Your checklist

The exam
24

The Exam – Tips for success
Tips for success
Very few students enjoy
taking exams but there
are things you can do
to make the experience
less stressful!
✓✓ Identify where the
exam hall is.
✓✓ Plan your route to the
exam hall, considering
the time of day you will
be travelling and any
potential issues.
✓✓ Have in place a back-up
plan in case of traffic
problems or public
transport delays.
Good
Luck!
25
GETTING
STARTED
LEARNING
PHASE
✓✓ Ensure you have all the ✓✓ Try not to get into
equipment you need for discussions with fellow
the exam (black pens, students just before the
calculator etc). exam about what might
come up – again this will
✓✓ Don’t forget to take only cause you stress.
REVISION
PHASE
your exam docket with
you as well as your ✓✓ If you are taking a
student identification. session based CBE then
take a few minutes to
✓✓ Eat properly before you watch the Prepare for
leave for the exam. your upcoming session
CBE video for some
PREPARATION
✓✓ Sleep properly – do not
last minute tips and
spend the night before
FINAL
information about
doing last minute late
these exams.
night revision – you will
perform so much better
if you are alert and
well rested (and in Once the exam is over:
any case, last minute
THE EXAM
revision will only cause ✓✓ Relax.
you to panic!). ✓✓ Don’t over
analyse – you
cannot change
anything now!
APPENDIX
– LINKS
GETTING LEARNING REVISION FINAL APPENDIX
THE EXAM
STARTED PHASE PHASE PREPARATION – LINKS
Appendix – Links
26
 GETTING
STARTED
Appendix – Links

Page No. Link URL

LEARNING
04 Enter for your exam http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/exams/enter-an-exam.html

PHASE
04 Exam planner tool http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-entry-and-administration/enter-an-exam/exam-planner.html

04 Exam resource finder http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources.html

04 Student section http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student.html

BPP English Language
04 http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/bpp-english-language-course.html
support for ACCA

REVISION
PHASE
04, 08 Approved Learning Provider(s) http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/your-study-options/learning-providers.html

04, 10, 23 Syllabus and study guide http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/syllabus-study-guide.html

04, 14 Student Accountant http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/employer/supporting-trainees/sa-direct.html

04, 14, 19 Approved Content Provider(s) http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/your-study-options/alp-content.html

PREPARATION
04, 14, 20 ACCA Learning Community https://learningcommunity.accaglobal.com

FINAL
05 Sessions CBEs http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-entry-and-administration/computer-based-exams/f5-f9-session-cbes-what-you-need-to-know.html

http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-entry-and-administration/computer-based-exams/f5-f9-session-cbes-what-you-need-to-know/
06 Session CBEs – dedicated page
where-you-can-take-session-cbes-new.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-entry-and-administration/computer-based-exams/f5-f9-session-cbes-what-you-need-to-know/
06, 10 Session CBEs – resources
learning-support-for-f5-f9-session-cbes-new.html

10 Formulae sheet http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/exam-formulae-maths-tables.html

10, 19, 23 Specimen exam http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/specimen-exams.html

THE EXAM
10, 20 Examining team’s guidance http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/fundamentals-exams-study-resources/f5/examiners-reports.html

10, 20 Examiner’s reports http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/fundamentals-exams-study-resources/f5/examiners-reports.html

F5 – A guide to the examiner‘s http://www.accaglobal.com/content/dam/ACCA_Global/Learning%20Providers/exam-reflection/reflections-1st-F5-performance-management-

10, 20
reports form.pdf
Exam technique – multiple choice
10, 20 http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f4/technical-articles/mcq-dec14.html
questions

APPENDIX
Exam technique – top tips for http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles/top-tips-for-the-paper-f5-
10, 20

– LINKS
the F5 exam exam.html

27
 GETTING
STARTED
Appendix – Links

Page No. Link URL

LEARNING
Exam technique – approaching http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles/approaching-written-
10, 20

PHASE
written questions articles.html
13, 19 Technical articles http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/fundamentals-exams-study-resources/f5/technical-articles.html

14, 19 Constructed response workspace http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/fundamentals-exams-study-resources/f5/specimen-exams.html

PER (Practical Experience
14 http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/practical-experience/performance-objectives.html
Requirement) objectives
15, 16, 17 Decision trees http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles/decision-trees.html

REVISION
The learning rate http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles/the-learning-rate-and-

15, 16, 17
and learning effect
Throughput accounting and the
15, 16, 17
theory of constraints – part 1
Throughput accounting and the
15, 16, 17
theory of constraints – part 2
Environmental management
15, 16, 17
accounting
Decentralisation and the need
PHASE
learning-effect.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles/throughput-
constraints1.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles/throughput-
constraints2.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles/Env-MA.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/fundamentals-exams-study-resources/f5/technical-articles/performance-

PREPARATION
15, 16, 17
for performance measurement measurement.html

FINAL
15, 16, 17 Cost volume profit analysis http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles/CVP-analysis.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles/comparing-budgeting-
15, 16, 17 Comparing budgeting techniques
techniques.html
15, 16, 17 Materials mix and yield variances http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles/mat-yield.html

15, 16, 17 Target costing and lifecycle costing http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles/target-lifestyle.html

15, 16, 17 Activity based costing http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles/ABC.html

THE EXAM
15, 16, 17 Transfer pricing 1 http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles/transfer-pricing.html

15, 16, 17 Transfer pricing 2 http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/fundamentals-exams-study-resources/f5/technical-articles/trans-pricing.html

http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles/NFP-organisations.
15, 16, 17 Not-for-profit organisations – part 1
html
15, 16, 17 Not-for-profit organisations – part 2 http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles/NFP-org-pt2.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles/the-risks-of-
15, 16, 17 The risks of uncertainty

APPENDIX
uncertainty.html

– LINKS
28
 GETTING
STARTED
Appendix – Links

Page No. Link URL

LEARNING
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles/interpreting-financial-
15, 16, 17 Interpreting financial data

PHASE
data.html
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/fundamentals-exams-study-resources/f5/technical-articles/linear-
15, 16, 17 Linear programming
programming.html
Study support video – break even
15, 16, 17 http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles.html
and profit volume charts
Study support video –
15, 16, 17 http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles.html
decision-making techniques
15, 16, 17 Study support video – decision trees http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles.html

REVISION
PHASE
15, 16, 17 Study support video – transfer pricing http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles.html

15, 16, 17 Study support video – variances http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles.html

F5 extra constructed response
19 http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/fundamentals-exams-study-resources/f5/specimen-exams.html
questions
http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-entry-and-administration/computer-based-exams/f5-f9-session-cbes-what-you-need-to-know/
19 CBE resources
learning-support-for-f5-f9-session-cbes-new.html

PREPARATION
20 Student Accountant Hub http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/sa.html

FINAL
20 Answering narrative questions http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/fundamentals-exams-study-resources/f5/technical-articles.html

20 F5 revision webinar http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-support-resources/fundamentals-exams-study-resources/f5/technical-articles.html

Study support video – Q1 debrief
20 http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles.html
(June 2012)
Study support video – Q5 debrief
20 http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/acca-qual-student-journey/qual-resource/acca-qualification/f5/technical-articles.html
(June 2012)
Study skills articles in
20 http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/sa/study-skills.html

THE EXAM
Student Accountant
Prepare for your upcoming http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/student/exam-entry-and-administration/computer-based-exams/f5-f9-session-cbes-what-you-need-to-know/
25
session CBE video where-you-can-take-session-cbes-new/session-cbe-exam-centres.html

APPENDIX
– LINKS
29
 F5 – November 2017 update
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